# NTSB MKC83FA214: Beech C35, N5843C, Grain Valley, MO, September 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1983, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Grain Valley, MO
- Coordinates: 39.000446, -94.200325 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0004&lon=-94.2003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA214

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE ENG QUIT RUNNING & HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A VACANT LOT ABOUT 75 FT SHORT & 15 FT BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE END OF THE RWY. AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, IT CONTINUED ACROSS A DITCH, A ROAD, ANOTHER DITCH, WENT THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE, CONTINUED UP A BANK & STOPPED AT THE APCH END OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WS APRX 5 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK, BUT ONLY ABOUT 3/4 OF A PINT IN THE LEFT TANK. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK & THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE WAS SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK. ALL FUEL LINES WERE INTACT & ALL CONNECTIONS WERE TIGHT. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SIPHONING WAS FOUND. ALSO, THE ENG RAN SATISFACTORILY DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5843C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5843C-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N D-2795, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C35
- Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-2795
- Airframe hours: 3351
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charley E. Qualkinbush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 149 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Airport: 3GV, East Kansas City, runway 27, 3,800 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,032 total, 51 in this make and model, 975 as pilot in command, 74 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830908049689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830908049689A), Sep 8, 1983: Beech C35BEECH, Grain Valley, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final due to fuel starvation. Had fuel selector on empty tank. Crash into embankment near threshold.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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